WHITEWATER--Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, is running for the state Senate 11th District seat.

Nass announced Wednesday that he will be running to replace retiring Sen. Neal Kedzie.

Kedzie, 58, announced Tuesday that he is retiring at the end of this session after 12 years in Senate.

Nass, 61, was elected to 33rd Assembly District in 1990. He is from Whitewater and graduated with a bachelor's degree from UW-Whitewater in 1978 and a master's of education in school business management from the university in 1990, according to his biography.

He served 33 years in the Wisconsin Air National Guard and was on the Whitewater City Council from 1977-81.

Nass' campaign will focus on enhancing income and property tax relief for the middle-class, identifying ways to assist the private sector in creating family-sustaining employment, and continuing the state's commitment to reforms in the K-12, technical college and UW education systems, according to the release.

"I'm excited to work with Governor Scott Walker and Republicans in the Legislature to keep Wisconsin moving forward in our recovery from the recession and to sustain state government's improving fiscal strength," Nass said in a release.

Rep. Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, is running for re-election to the 32nd Assembly District and has endorsed Nass for the Senate seat.

"I know he is the best candidate for this seat and will make a great senator," August said in a statement. "Steve's character and conservative values make him the only choice to ensure the Republican majority in the Senate remains strong for the future."

Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, is the incumbent in the 31st Assembly District, which is the third Assembly district in the 11th Senate District. The Gazette was not able to reach her for comment Wednesday.

Kedzie endorsed Nass to replace him in the Senate, according to the release.

Kedzie announced running for re-election to his Senate seat in April, but decided to spend more time with his family and pursue opportunities outside of state government.

The 11th District includes portions of Walworth, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Kenosha and Racine counties.

The 11th District includes portions of Walworth, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Kenosha and Racine counties. - See more at: http://www.gazettextra.com/article/20140506/ARTICLES/140509810#sthash.kkBw1ilC.dpuf

The 11th District includes portions of Walworth, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Kenosha and Racine counties. - See more at: http://www.gazettextra.com/article/20140506/ARTICLES/140509810#sthash.kkBw1ilC.dpu